Becoming a new parent can be a big transition in your life and your finances.
Bringing a child into the world is one of the most special things a person can ever do. It can also be a time of tough financial choices, and people often underestimate the cost of having a child. On this page, we’ve compiled some government and non-government services, support payments, and information pages to help new parents navigate this special time.
Online resources for parents and guardians
| Raising Children Network | Free, up-to-date information for parents and guardians from the Australian Government, you can look up all services in your state or territory on one website |
| Family Relationships Online | Information and support from the Australian government for separated parents |
| Moneysmart | Run by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, offering a range of information on money matters, including: Having a baby Returning to work after having a baby Teaching kids about money. |
| Pregnancy, Birth & Baby | Australian Department of Health and the Aging site for information on what support services and payments are available to new parents |
Childcare and education costs
The cost of childcare and schooling can be a daunting prospect. There are steps you can take to help your children get the education they deserve without breaking the bank. This page is mainly about dealing with the costs of becoming a parent or guardian of a child.
📌 If you’d like to know more about the costs of childcare and education, see our childcare and education costs page.
Child support
Child support payments mean that someone who is not living with their child still financially supports them. These payments can be an agreement between parents or set up and managed through Services Australia.
Visit Services Australia to learn more about child support payments.
Government services
Centrelink
The Australian Government provides income support payments through Centrelink. This includes a range of support payments for parents, families and carers. You can use this tool to learn about your eligibility for payments. Alternatively, head to Services Australia to learn more about the services and support they offer.
Available supports for parents, families and carers
Child Dental Benefits Schedule
To read more information about government support for new parents, head to the Services Australia page on Having a baby.
Dealing with Centrelink
Many people find dealing with Centrelink difficult. Applying for payments can be confusing. Most payments are set too low and have overly strict requirements.
📌 See our dealing with Centrelink page.
State and territory support
State and territory governments also provide services to support new parents. This can include healthcare, information and advice, regional support, parent support networks and playgroups.
| Australian Capital Territory | ACT Government |
| New South Wales | NSW Government |
| Northern Territory | NT Government |
| Queensland | Queensland Government |
| South Australia | Parenting SA |
| Tasmania | Department of Health |
| Victoria | Department of Families, Fairness and Housing |
| Western Australia | Department of Health |
You might also want to look up services in your state or territory on the Raising Children Network website.
Non-government services
In addition to government support services and payments, there are many non-government organisations such as charities which provide assistance to new families. Here are a few:
Family and Parenting Support – Anglicare Victoria
Support for families | Brotherhood of St. Laurence
Parent Support – Good Shepherd.
Bills, transport, and other everyday expenses
Bills for utilities, getting around, groceries, clothes, and even just whatever you want to do for fun all cost money. These are money pressures that can get harder when you have a new mouth to feed in the family.
Getting by on a tight budget shouldn’t stop you and your child from having a healthy and fulfilling life, so we’ve compiled tools, resources, and tips for you to get more for less.
📌 See our getting help with everyday expenses, paying bills and negotiating and ways to save on transport pages.
No interest loans
No Interest Loans (NILs) allow you to borrow money to help you get back on your feet without having any of the crippling interest or high fees that come with other forms of loans.
How does it work?
NILs are typically offered for up to $2,000-$3,000 for education fees, rent or bond, essentials like fridges, washing machines, furniture, kitchenware, medical expenses, car repairs, and other goods and services you might need to get back on your feet.
There are certain rules around who can apply for NILs. Broadly, generally you must:
- have a Health Care Card, a Pensioner Concession Card (or an income less than $45,000 per year after tax)
- have lived at your current address for more than three months
- show that you can repay the loan.
Who provides NILs?
The No Interest Loan Scheme is one of the financial services provided by Good Shepherd Microfinance. You can find providers over at the Good Shepherd website.
Parentline
Parentline is a phone support service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old.
| Australian Capital Territory | Parentline ACT 02 6287 3833 9 am-5 pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) |
| New South Wales | Parent Line NSW 1300 1300 52 9 am-9 pm, Monday to Friday; 4 pm-9 pm, weekends |
| Northern Territory | Parentline Northern Territory 1300 30 1300 8 am-10 pm, 7 days |
| Queensland | Parentline Northern Territory 1300 30 1300 8 am-10 pm, 7 days |
| South Australia | Parent Helpline South Australia 1300 364 100 24 hours, 7 days |
| Tasmania | Parentline Tasmania 1300 808 178 24 hours, 7 days |
| Victoria | Parentline Victoria 13 22 89 8 am-12 am, 7 days (including public holidays) |
| Western Australia | Ngala Parenting Line (WA) 08 9368 9368 (metro) 1800 111 546 (regional) 8am-8pm, 7 days |
Other helplines
| Organisation | How to get help |
| 1800RESPECT The national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service | 1800 737 732 Online chat (navigate to the bottom of the page) |
| Lifeline Crisis support services | 13 11 14 Online chat |
| Beyond Blue Mental health support services | 1300 224 636 Online chat |
| MensLine Australia Information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns | 1300 789 978 Online chat |
| Suicide Call Back Service Specialist counselling services | 1300 659 467 Online chat |
| Good Shepherd Their Financial Independence Hub is designed to help people who have experienced financial abuse | 1300 050 150 fih@goodshep.org.au |
This information was last updated on 5 June 2023.
The links and resources in this article have been compiled and reviewed by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. We aren’t responsible for what you’ll find at the links, though we do hope you find the information useful. See our disclaimer if you’d like to know more.
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